Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 27 May 2003

Vol. 567 No. 5

Written Answers. - Departmental Programmes.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

431 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his plans for the enhancement of the services provided or funded by his Department on a county basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14682/03]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

432 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his proposals for the future development of facilities offered by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14683/03]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

433 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the extent to which his Department intends to assist urban communities in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14684/03]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

434 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his plans for the improvement of facilities and services in rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14685/03]

Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (Éamon Ó Cuív)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 431 to 434, inclusive, together.

The Deputy will be aware from my reply to his Parliamentary Question No. 432 of 3 December last of the wide range of schemes already operated by my Department for the purposes of revitalising communities, both urban and rural, throughout the country. The Deputy will also appreciate that, in light of the sheer diversity of these schemes, it would not be possible to provide a county by county breakdown of the operation of these services in the time available.

My Department continues to implement these programmes and has commenced a review of their operation with a view to achieving optimum efficiency in the delivery of these supports. My Department's statement of strategy for the years 2003-2005 is now being prepared for printing and bilingual publication.

The strategy statement indicates that overall, our aim continues to be the support of local self-help, and rural areas integrated local development and community development initiatives through a range of once-off grant schemes and long-term funding programmes. For example, the local development social inclusion programme funds 38 area partnerships and 33 community groups, located throughout the country, which continue to provide services to a range of target groups. The funding available under the programme in 2003 is €44.6 million.

The community development support programme currently provides core funding on a contract basis to 155 community development projects throughout the country. I recently announced plans to expand the programme by setting up a further 15 projects in specifically targeted areas. In addition, a further 15 project start-ups are scheduled for 2004, subject to funding being available.

Under the young people's facilities and services fund, which operates primarily in local drugs task force areas in Dublin and Cork, an amount of €54 million has been allocated towards the provision of approximately 350 facility and services projects.

On the services side, approximately 130 project workers have been appointed – 80% of whom are outreach and youth workers – to work on the ground with the target group offering developmental activities and educational programmes for young people who have traditionally found themselves outside the scope of mainstream youth work due to family background, involvement with crime or drug misuse or lack of education. In addition, a wide variety of community-based prevention-education programmes and targeted interventions are being funded.

The position regarding the funding of additional proposals is being considered at present by the national assessment committee for the fund which is having ongoing discussions with the relevant Departments and State agencies involved.

A number of other measures will also further contribute to community and voluntary sector support. These include the implementation of the recommendations in the White Paper on a Framework for Supporting Voluntary Activity; and the introduction of legislation to ensure an appropriate regulatory framework for the charity sector.

Another important factor will be the disbursement of moneys from the dormant accounts fund. The dormant accounts legislation provides for a scheme to disburse moneys on programmes or projects to assist those who are socially, economically or educationally disadvantaged and people with a disability. The Dormant Accounts Fund Disbursements Board, which is an independent board under the aegis of my Department, is currently preparing a disbursement plan that will outline its objectives and strategy for achieving those objectives.

The placing of the remit for rural development within a new Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs is a reflection of the need for sustained focus on rural communities. While the 1999 White Paper on Rural Development sets out a vision and a framework for the development of rural communities, a critical challenge is to ensure the White Paper commitments are addressed across a wide range of Departments and public bodies. Effective formalised co-ordination systems need to be maintained and strengthened with the appropriate Departments and agencies.

Considerable success is already being achieved through, for example, the operation of the CLÁR – Ceantair Laga Árd-Ríachtanais – programme, which is designed to address rural areas of special disadvantage. The CLÁR programme funds, or co-funds, with other Departments, State agencies and local authorities, investment in selected priority developments, encompassing, electricity conversions, roads, water and sewerage, village enhancement, telecommunications, health and sports projects. In January of this year I was pleased to announce the expansion of the CLÁR areas having regard to the preliminary results of the 2002 population census, as promised in An Agreed Programme for Government.

As the national authority for Leader, my Department will continue to oversee the operation of this EU community initiative for rural development. It provides approved local action groups with public funding – EU and national – to implement multi-sectoral business plans for the development of their own areas. The Leader programmes in Ireland are now fully operational under the current round of Structural Funds. Some 38 groups are delivering the programmes nationwide covering all rural areas. Coverage of all counties is provided for under the programmes while implementation at county level is co-ordinated through the county development boards.

With regard to the Gaeltacht, it is clear that in order to attract modern service-based industries there and sustain Gaeltacht populations, critical structural deficiencies need to be addressed. The ongoing work of both my Department and Údarás na Gaeltachta with regard to the development of strategic Gaeltacht infrastructure, will continue to be important in creating sustainable employment in the changing Gaeltacht environment. My Department will continue to provide assistance in Gaeltacht areas towards the enhancement of Gaeltacht infrastructure, including housing, roads, marine works, village renewal and various recreational facilities such as community centres, playing fields and other amenities.

Promoting the sustainable development of the populated off-shore islands will also remain a key task of the Department. While much has been achieved in recent years, further improvements in access, services and infrastructural supports are necessary in order to maintain and enhance islanders' living standards. My Department will continue to work with local authorities and community groups to ensure the provision of appropriate infrastructure and services for the benefit of these geographically remote communities.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

435 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the number of applications for financial or grant assistance received in his Department in 2003 in respect of both urban and rural communities; the extent to which it is expected to respond favourably to such applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14686/03]

Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (Éamon Ó Cuív)

As the Deputy will be aware from previous parliamentary questions, my Department is responsible for a wide range of schemes relating primarily to the support of community and voluntary activity. The Deputy will appreciate that decisions to award grants are made throughout the year on foot of the consideration of applications received. The advertising of grant schemes and the announcements of awards are publicised through a variety of media including my Department's website – www.pobail.ie.

Within that context I can advise the Deputy as below in relation to applications received to date in 2003 under those schemes involving the provision of financial or grant assistance to urban and rural communities, that are administered directly by my Department.

A total of 670 applications have been received by my Department to date for grant aid under the training and supports in the community and voluntary sector scheme and the funding scheme to support the role of federations, networks and umbrella bodies in the community and voluntary sector. Applications are being assessed by consultants at present and recommendations are expected in the coming months.

Three applications for grant assistance from Ciste na Gaeilge have been received to date this year in respect of both urban and rural groups. Of this, one application has been granted, the remaining two are currently under consideration – the Deputy should note that the bulk of applications for grant assistance for 2003 were received in late 2002.

No applications have been received so far this year under the rural development fund, while the scheme of once-off grants to voluntary organisations and the scheme of community support for older people have not, as yet, been advertised for 2003. It is envisaged that both schemes will be advertised in the national press in the coming weeks.

Under the Gaeltacht improvement schemes my Department receives various applications on an ongoing basis throughout the year. Assistance is provided towards the development of Gaeltacht infrastructure, including housing, roads, marine works, village renewal and various recreational facilities such as community centres, playing fields and other amenities. Statistics are not readily available as to the number of applications received to date and it is felt that the work involved in compiling a figure for the number received would exceed the information value of such a statistic.

The islands' section of the Department receives applications for assistance on an ongoing basis each year. Again, statistics are not readily available regarding the number of applications received to date. Each application received is evaluated in the context of the funding available for island development and the various other demands on that funding.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

436 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the extent to which he has expanded the community support services previously operated by the Department of Social and Family Affairs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14687/03]

Minister of State at the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (Mr. N. Ahern)

My Department now has responsibility for a number of community support initiatives previously administered by the Department of Social and Family Affairs, namely the community development support programme, the scheme of once-off grants to voluntary and community groups, the scheme of community support to older people and certain supports for the community and voluntary sector provided within the framework of the White Paper on Supporting Voluntary Activity.

The community development support programme currently provides core funding on a contract basis to 155 community development projects throughout the country. In line with the Government's continued commitment to tackle social exclusion and despite the tighter budgetary situation this year, I recently announced plans to expand the programme by setting up a further 15 projects in specifically targeted disadvantaged areas throughout the country. It is expected that these new projects will be ready to join the programme with effect from September next. Each will receive an initial one-year contract in the sum of €60,000. Priority in selecting new projects has been primarily with reference to areas identified under the RAPID and CLÁR programmes. In addition, a further 15 project start-ups are scheduled for 2004, subject to funding being available.

The scheme of once-off grants and the scheme of support to older people will be advertised in June and July respectively. Both schemes will be open to voluntary and community groups on a nationwide basis and the criteria will be similar to those applicable in previous years.

In the context of the White Paper on Supporting Voluntary Activity, my Department recently appointed consultants to carry out the assessment of applications under the following schemes: scheme of training and supports in the community and voluntary sector; and scheme to support the role of federations, networks and umbrella bodies in the community and voluntary sector.

It is expected that these assessments will be completed by the end of June and July respectively. All applicants will be advised of the outcome of their applications shortly thereafter.